Writing in the Garden – Revision
Writing in the Garden Angela F. Foster and Candace Simar The FARM GIRLS! Writing Class for All Genres “Revision: Dig Into the Edit” Cost $50 Friday, July 24, 2015 10:00 a.m. To 4:00 p.m. Brainerd-Baxter, MN Call Angela to Register 612-242-8911 Space is Limited This day of learning, writing and creativity is suitable for all genres. The class will be held Friday, July 24, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Class sessions will take place in the house, but participants are free to spend breaks and writing sessions in Bev’s beautiful garden. Location: 6584 Parkville Circle, Baxter, MN 56425 Writer and artist, Bev Abear, has offered her home and gardens for this unique writing retreat and class. Our day together will be productive, but casual and fun! The morning...
Read MoreListen to Angela Read “Dirt”
KAXE radio out of Brainerd and Grand Rapids has published an audio recording of my poem “Dirt.” Click here to listen: Angela This poem is also published in the book I have co-written with my sister, Candace Simar, titled “Farm Girls.” Thanks for listening.
Read MoreEllipsis! … Do you really need it?
Using an ellipsis can be tricky. I’m not a fan of any type of punctuation that is used too much (think semi-colon or colon) but the ellipsis seems to be something I often must edit from a manuscript. The most common way authors use an ellipsis is to indicate that the speaker has paused or is searching for his thoughts. This works, but I often find that writers use the same thing over and over on the page until I think that if I see one more ellipsis…I just might throw the manuscript to the floor. I would recommend that you save your ellipses for important moments. Times when you really need or want to slow the dialogue down. I’d like to mention one more thing…. If your ellipsis ends your sentence, you need three dots and a period for a total of four dots. If...
Read MoreThe #1 Way to Build Tension & Writing Boot Camp Link
What’s the #1 way to build tension in a scene? Writers often move too quickly. Build tension in your written scene by slowing down the action. Let the scene unfold moment by moment. In real time the scene may have happened quickly–perhaps in seconds. But in a written scene, we need to linger on the details. Give some hint as to what the character is thinking as it happens. Put everything into slow motion and describe the sun glinting off the water. The grit of sand on skin. Whatever the details of your story may be, let them unfold slowly. Allow your reader to feel the importance of the moment. P.S. As promised, here is the link to the Creative Writing Boot Camp in Brainerd, MN, on January 12, 2013. My sister Candace Simar and I will co-teach this...
Read MoreWriting in the Garden Update
One of the participants of our packed “Writing in the Garden” class last month was blogger and travel writer, Shelley Odendahl. She has posted a photo of my sister and me as we spoke about our favorite subject, writing! Please click the link to go to Shelley’s website and read her post.: http://realize-your-dreams.net/2012/08/29/creative-experiences/ You might also be interested in reading an excerpt of Shelley’s new travel memoir, Traveling Together: Cliff and Me and the Motorcyle Makes Three http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0099THAW4. I helped Shelley with the final edits on her memoir and she really has created a fun read about traveling around the USA on a motorcyle. If you can, please support her efforts with a purchase of her book —...
Read More3rd Annual Writing in the Garden
Click here for the flier – Writing in the Garden I am excited to announce our 3rd annual Writing in the Garden retreat. The class will take place on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the home of Bev A’bear in Brainerd, MN. My sister, author Candace Simar, will co-teach this year! The morning sessions will cover “Writing Beyond the Cliche” in scene, description and dialogue. After a break for lunch (bring a bag lunch) Candace will tell us about her publication journey (she has authored four historical fiction books). Later in the day, we will share our best writing tips! It will be a packed day and a great value at only $45. Click on the link above to get all the details and see our schedule for the day. Space...
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